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Motorola Moto Buds Plus vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Motorola Moto Buds Plus
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery6.0
Calls6.0
Value7.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0

Specifications

Specification comparison of Motorola Moto Buds Plus vs Sony WF-1000XM5
SpecMotorola Moto Buds PlusSony WF-1000XM5
TypeTrue WirelessTrue Wireless
Price (USD)$130$249
HearWiki score68 / 100 · Good88 / 100 · Outstanding
Released20242023
Audio
Driverdynamic0.33"
Driver size11 mm8.4 mm
Drivers per side22
Frequency response20 Hz - 20,000 Hz20 Hz - 40,000 Hz
Impedance32 Ω32 Ω
Sensitivity108 dB/mW102 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth5.35.3
Bluetooth version5.35.3
CodecsSBC, AAC, LHDCSBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Multipoint pairingYesYes
Battery
Battery life8 h12 h
Battery life (ANC on)-8 h
Battery incl. case38 h24 h
Full charge time60 min90 min
Quick charge10 min = 3 h5 min = 1 h
Wireless chargingYesYes
Features
ANC typehybridhybrid
Transparency modeYesYes
Companion appYesYes
Custom EQYesYes
Wear detectionYesYes
Controlstouchtouch
Voice assistantGoogle AssistantYes
Design
Weight55 g11.8 g
Case weight42.8 g39 g
Water resistanceIPX4IPX4
USB-CYesYes
Calls
Microphones66

What reviewers said

Motorola Moto Buds Plus

The Motorola Moto Buds Plus are feature-packed true wireless earbuds offering adaptive active noise cancellation, LDAC support, and a comfortable fit. With 8 hours of playback per charge and 38 total with the case, they deliver solid battery life, plus wireless charging and quick top-ups. Their dual-driver setup and customizable EQ make them a versatile choice for everyday listening.

  • Pro:Adaptive ANC with transparency mode
  • Pro:LDAC support for high-res audio
  • Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
  • Con:Battery life is average without case
  • Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
  • Con:No aptX codec support

Sony WF-1000XM5

These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
  • Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
  • Con:Premium price point
  • Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
  • Con:Touch controls may take time to master

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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